Machine for stitching books with metallic staples



(No Model.) 7 Sheets 'Sheet 1.

w. J. BROWN, Jr. MACHINE FOR STITGHING BOOKS WITH METALLIC STAPLES.

Patented Dec. 28, 1886.

. WlTNESSES: g Y INVENTOR (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. J. BROWN, Jr. MACHINE FOR STITGHING BOOKS WITH METALLIC STAPLES. No. 354,885. PatentedDec. 28, 1886.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR N. PETERS, PhulM-ilhagrapher. wnhin mn. 0. c4

W. J. BR0WN, Jr. MACHINE FOR STITGHING BOOKS WITH METALLIC STAPLES. No. 354,885. Patented Dec. 28,- 1886.

Witness es [zweivtar (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 4;

W. J. BROWN, Jr. MACHINE FOR'STITG'HING-BOOKS WITH METALLIC STAPLES.

No. 354,885. Patgnted Dec. 28, 1886.

' 115117- lazy/6.

O I 7 sheets-sham 5; W. J. BROWN, Jr. MACHINE FOB STITOHING BOOKS WITH METALLIO-STAPLES..

' (No Model.)

No. 354,885. PatentedDee. 28, 1886.

FIG J3.

INVENTO'R FIG-46.

WITNESSES:

(No Model.) '1 Sheets-Sheet 6.

- W. J. BROWN, Jr. MACHINE FOR STITGHING BOOKS WITH METALLIC! STAPLES".

No.354,885. PatentedDe0.28,1886.

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WITNESSES: INVENTOR N. PETERS. Phowlilhflgrnphnr. Wishi nnnnn C.

I 1 (No Model.) 7 ShetS Sheet 7.

W. J. BROWN, Jr. MACHINE FOR STITGHIYNG BOOKS WITH METALLIC STAPLES. No. 35 85. Patented Dec. 28, 1886.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR taneously clinching the staplelegs against the wire-stitched and driven therein, consisting of UNITED STATES PAT Erica.

\VILLIAM J. BROWN, JR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 354.885, dated December 23, 1836.

Application tiled November 16, 1883.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM J. BROWN, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Stitching Books with Metallic Staples, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to combined mechanisms in a single machine for automatically feeding staples to a staple channel and guide, and for driving and inserting the same, and simulunder side of the book, paper, or other material through which they are driven; and it consists, first, of the combination, with a supporting-frame having two socket-bearings arranged one above the other, and an underlying clinching-anvil, of actuating mechanism supported and guided in said upper bearin of staple-presenting mechanism consisting of a recessed and channeled vertically-reciprocating guide-block constructed as hereinafter described, and supported and guided in said lower bearing, of staple feeding mechanism to deliver staples singly and successively to said presenting mechanism, and a driver vertically reciprocating within the latter and provided with mechanism, as hereinafter more particularly described, to elevate said guide-bloek after a staple has been driven; second, of staple presenting and inserting mechanism whereby the staples are singly and successively brought to the surface of the material to be a verticallyreciprocating channeled and recessed guide-block and a driver moving vertically therein, said driver having a hook engaging with an internally-projecting pin in the recess of the guide-block, whereby the lat ter is withdrawn vertically after a staple has been driven; third, of the combination, with a supportingfraine having two socket-bearings, one above the other, the first containing or supporting actuating mechanism and the other the staple presenting and ins'ertin g mechanism, ofa pair ofcounteracting spiral springs, one acting with pressure between the actuating mechanism and the staple-presenting de vice to depress the latter, and the, other acting with pressure between the lower socketbearing and the actuating mechanism to cle- (No model.)

vate thelatter, said springs so operating alternately on each upward and downward movement, respectively, of the driving mechanism, and actuating mechanism consisting of a plunger, staplepresenting meeh anism consisting of a recessed and channeled vertically-reciprocating guide bloclz, and stapledriving mechanism consisting of a driver moving vertically within said guide-block and operating, by means of an internally-projecting hook on its lower end engaging with an internal pin in said-guide-bloek to elevate the same after a staple has been driven; fourth, of the combination, with the verticallyreciprocating channeled and recessed guideblock to receive and guide metallic staples automatically delivered thereto, constructed as hereinafter described,"

and a staple-driver moving vertically therein and uncovering said recess on each of its upward movements, of automatic staple-feeding mechanism consisting of a magazine holding and guiding a row of staples arranged in train on a nandrel or bar supported therein, and having mechanism to deliver said staples therefrom under pressure-to the staple-groove of said stapleprcsenting guide-block singly and successively on the completion of each upward stroke of said driver; and, fifth, of automatic staple-feeding mechanism arranged to deliver staples placed in train on a removable mandrel contained therein singly and successively under pressure to the reciprocating guideblock on the completion of its upward lift, said mechanism consisting of a magazine eontainiug a sliding block and a guiding bar or bars, forming, with said mandrel contained therein, a grooved passage-way for the staples, and a pusher-rod actuated by a pullspring, whereby saidstaples are delivered from said magazine under pressure.

Inthc accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of the machine; Fig. 2, a front sectional view through line a a, Fig. 1. Figs.

3 and 4 are side and sectional views, respect- -ively, of the automatic staple-feeding device;

and Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10,views of its several parts. Figs. 12 and 13 are partly sectional and partly front views of the staple insertingand clinching mechanisms in the front end of the machine, and showing in section the forward end of the staple-feeding device and the position of the driver relatively to the.

staples as the same are fed to the channel in the guide-block. Fig. 14 is a like sectional view of the last-named mechanism. Fig. 15 is a front view of the outer side of the guardplate which directs the staple after it leaves the feeding mechanism. Fig. 16 shows, by a partly sectional view, the relative position of the guideblock, staple-driver, and clincherguiding the staple.

plate when the operation of driving and clinching a staple is completed, and showing, also, the book or material between them, with a staple driven through it and clinched on the under side. Figs. 17 and 18 are views of the guide-block for hearing the material, holding and guiding the driver, and receiving and Fig. 19 is a lower end view ofthe same, and Fig. 20, top and sectional views, respectively, ofthe clincher-plate. Figs. 21, 22, and 23 are views of the collar, plunger,

and the two different sides of the staple-driver.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the castmetal frame of the machine; Fig. 25, a view repre senting modifications of the mechanism to take the place of the counteracting double spiral spring between the base of the plunger and the top of the guide-block, and between the collar of the plunger and the arm of the machine in which the guide-block is supported and operated. Fig. 26 is a 'top view of the weighted arm shown in Fig. 25, and Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the work-supporting table and adjustable gage-plate.

Similar letters and figures of reference denote like parts in each of the several views.

The frame of the machine, as shown in Fig. 24, is a cast-metal structure in a single piece, consisting of the base A, recessed at a to receive the clinching-block, and having an arm, B, arising therefrom and extending toward the front of the machine, and terminating in two sockets, E and G, situated above and in a vertical line with the recess a. An extensionpiece terminating in a socket, Z, is provided to receive the pin which pivots the lever L. The lower part of the arm B, extending from the rear of the frame forward to the socket E, is recessed of a shape to correspond in shape with and to receive and hold the side of the staple-feeding device.

In the recess a in the base of the machine, immediately beneath and in a vertical line with the socket E,is secured a clinching-plate, F, which is a simple metal block having a recessed circular cavityon its face or in the form of a slot, the staple-legs being bent over by comingin contact with the inclined surfaces of tilre slot or circular cavity when driven down by pressure on the crown, as hereinafter described.

Aplate, G, cut out at I) (see Fig. 27) to fit the clinching-block, is secured by screws or other like means tothe base of the machine,the upper surface of which plate is on the same plane with the upper surface of the clincher plate, and forms a convenient work-supporting table on which the books orpapers may be placed during the operation of stitching them at c, and having upright sides d d, as shown in Fig. 27, is provided with one or more thumb screws working into screw threaded holes in the base-plate, and serves as aguideand gage for the books or papers to be wire-stitched.

The staple-driving mechanism is operated by means of a plunger, K, moving vertically in the socket G, andoperated upon and depressed by means of pressure from the rounded facef of the curved hand-lever L, pivoted at l to an extension of the arm B.

The plunger K (represented in Fig. 22) is bored out at its base to receive the upper end of the staple'driver, Fig. 23, and the latter is secured thereto by means of a set screw. To the plunger K is secured, by a setscrcw, the collar M, Fig. 21, of circular shape and larger in diameter than the diameter of the plunger K, in order to afford a bearing-surface for a large spiral spring,N,placed between its lower side and the upper side of the stationary socket E, and which spring, when depressedin the operation of the machine, serves, by pressing up against the collar M of the plunger, to restore the guide -block, staple-driver, and staple-guiding mechanisins,all by one upward movement of the plunger, aided by the hook h,engaging with the lug k of the guide-block, and by the inner spring, R, as hereinafter mentioned, to their several normal positions, respectively, after the completion of each downward movement produced by pressure from the lever L.

Secured to the lower enl of the plunger K, as aforesaid, is aidriver, S, which moves vertically in a guide-block, P, which in turn slides up and down in theisocket E. The driver S, as shown in Fig. 23, consists of a steel bar, cylindrical at the upper end and with flat sides at the lower end, where it enters the staplechannel, and terminates in a groove, 9, to re ceive the crown of the staple, and on the extreme end of one side is a hook or narrow projection, h. Within the socket E is a hollow partly cylindrical guide-block, P, of hard metal, constructed with the several recesses, channels, and flat faces, as shown in Figs. 17, 18, and 19. This guide-block is not held'or restrained within the socket E, but is free to move up and down therein, and performs the double functions of a staple-guide, (aided by the guard-plate) and a driver-guide, to bring the staple and stapling mechanism to the book or papers to be wire-stitched. An inner spiral spring, R, rests upon the top of theguide block P, incasing the driver S, and presses by its upper end against the lower end of the plunger K, and performs the single function of counteracting the outer spring N in its relation to the guide-block P, so that when the plunger K descends the'pressure of the inner spring Nwill cause the guide-block P to move downward in the socket Eandfall upon and clamp the book or papers between it and the clinching-cavity F, and thus constitute adj ust- -ing mechanism suitable to the varying thicknesses of the books or papers to bewire-stitched. This downward movement of the guide-block P is wholly independent of any movement of the driving mechanism, the end of the driver S at the momentwhen'the guide-block P falls, as described, being at a point in the channelguide of the said guide-block a short distance above the crown of the staple, which, by the previous upward movement of the driver, was permitted to be ejected from the staple fe'eding device, over the guard-plate, and into the staple-channel, and subsequently into the groove formed between it and the lower end of the guide-block, ready to be driven into the book or paper thus lying between the end of the guide-block and the clinching-block,when reached by the grooved end of the driver S in its further and subsequent downward movement actuated by the plunger K.

On the reverse motion of the parts it will Figs. 17 and 18,) and in the reverse or upward movement of the plunger K, which draws up the driver S after the operation of driving and clinching a staple has been performed, the hook it of the driver engages with the pin in the guide-block in the upward travel of the channeled internally, as shown at 16. The

guard-plate, Fig. 15, has sides 18 equal in width to the sides 17 of the guide-block, so that when fitted thereon, as shown at 18, Fig. 18, the overlapping sides of the guard-plate will form, with the channel of the guide-block, a perfect channel or two-sided gr'oove (see Fig. 19) forthe descending staple, and a groove or guide for the staple-driver of corresponding shape.

Amodificationot my inventionperhapsan obvious one-is illustrated in Fig. 25. Instead of the outer spiral spring N, between the collar M of the plunger and the socket E, thelever L is shown attached directly to the head of the plunger K, so as to elevateit as well as depress it, and instead of the counteracting spring R, to clamp the books by means of a sudden fall of the guide-block, a weighted arm, P, Fig. 2b, is pivoted at oneend to the frame of the machine, and at the other end loosely embraces the driver S and rests on the head of the guide-block.

The staple-feeding mechanism consists of a hard-metal blocks 5 and 6, secured to it by.

screws. These blocks project beyond the end of the magazine, forming one side of the stapie-channel, and serve to direct the course of the staples out of the magazine, over the guardplate, Fig. 15, and into the channel of the guide-block, Fig. 17. provided with offsets 7 and 8, the former to act as a stop to the door and side guide, and the latter as a channel-guide for the pusherrod, Fig. 8. At the rear of the magazine is a sliding block, 9, operated byaspring, 10. The staples to be fed to the machine are contained on a wooden or metal mandrel, (see Figs. 9 and 10,) this mandrel being detachable from the .magazine, and is inserted in it between the block 5 and the sliding block 9, the spring 10 serving to hold it tightly betweenthe two. The pusher, Fig. 8, consisting of a rod and a feeding-slide, 11, is inserted in the magazine from its rear end, the slide 11 embracing the man drel and pushing against the last staple on the latter, and the pusher being capable of moving forward until the plate 11 successively pushes the whole line of staples contained on the man, drel, one by one, over the block 5 and into the staple channel of the guide-block.

The pusher is operated by means of a pullspring or an elastic rubber band (see Fig. 1) fastened to the curved end 12 of the rod 'and to a finger, 13, on the top of the magazine. It is obvious, however, that any spring device may be used in the place of the rubber band; but'I find the latter operates well and convenicntly.

The magazine is also- Fig. 7 shows the appearance of the cavity is ejected from the magazine over the block 5 I its legs pass over the rounded edges 14 of the guard-plate and fall easily and surely into the channel formed between the inner side of the guard-plate-and the lower end of the guideblock. The mandrel T, of wood or other material, Fig. 9, is a cheap mode of holding and furnishing strung staples of various depths, the mandrel being slotted at the two ends, and a twine or rubber band passedaround it to hold the staples on temporarily until ready for use in the machine, and in this manner furnishes a convenient form and means for' storing and shipping them. i

In Fig. 10 the mandrel is shown as made of metal, the sides being bent out and bearing against the staple-legs, holding them on, the bent-out sides having flanges 15, which 5 strengthen the mandrel and also furnish a means of expansion beyond the width of the channel in the magazine, so that when the door is closed there will be a compression of the sides of the mandrel sntficient to release the staples from the pressure on their inner sides and permit of their being easily fed forward by the pusher.

The operation of the machine is as follows: A stick or mandrel, T, of strung staples is placed in the magazine from the side, between the fixed block 5 and the movable block 9, and held in position therein from the rear by the spring 10 and from the sides by the offsets 7 and 8 and the door and side guide, 3. The

pusher is then inserted in the magazine from the rear, so that the forward edges of the slide 11 press against the side of the crown and legs of the last staple on the string. A rubber band is then stretched between the end 12 of the pusher-rod and the finger 13 of the magazine, the effect of which is to push the line of staples along the mandrel T and the block 5, the staples being guided accurately by the upper and side walls of the magazine until the 0 forward staple is stopped in the channel of the guide-block or presses against the flat side of the driver S, thenin the completed downward course in the staple-guide of the guide-block. The upward movement of the plunger carries up the driver and permits the forward staple to be ejected into the channel immediately above the rounded edges 14 of the guard-plate, where it rests until,by moving the lever L,the plunger descends, the guide-block drops on the book or papers to bewirestitched, and the driver descends through the guide-block, each successively, but in one continued movement, until the grooved end of the driver S strikes the crown of the staple, carries it down 5 the grooved staple guide, and causes it to be inserted into the intervening book or papers and its legs bent up and clinched against the under side of the book by contact with the curved surfaces of the clincher-plate. The

reverse movement of the plunger will cause the projection h of the driver S to engage with the pin it of the guide-block P and the parts to be drawn up ready for the same operation on the succeeding staple.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Staple inserting and clinching mechanism consisting of the frame A, having socket-bearings E and G and a clinching-anvil, F, a plu11-.

ger, K, with" its collar M, and mechanism, substantially as described, to depress and elevate the same, a guide-block, P, constructed as described, and provided with a pin, 70, stapie-feeding mechanism to deliver staples to said guide-block, and driver S, moving vertically in said guide-block and provided with a hook, h, to engage with said guide-block in its upward movement, and serving to elevate the same, said parts being constructed, combined, 7( and arranged substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the vertically-reciprocating guide-block P, constructed with internal vertical grooves and an internally'projecting pin, it, with the driver S, having a hook, h, and with mechanism to vertically reciprocate the said driver within the internal staple-groove of said guide-block, whereby, after a staple is received and guided by said block to the surface of the material to be op- Su erated'npon and is driven by said driver, the said guide-block is withdrawn wholly by means of the engagement of the hook h with the pin in within the vertical, internal channel grooves of said guide-block upon the upward movement therein of said driver, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the frame A, having socket-bearings E and C, and a clinching-plate,

F, a plunger, K, vertically reciprocating within the upper socket, O, and a guide-block, P, verticallyreciprocating within the lower socket, E, counteracting spiral springs N and R, the latter acting with pressure between 'said plunger and guide-block andoperating to depress the guide-block on a downward movement of the plunger, andthe former acting with pressure between said lower socketbearing, E, and the plunger K, and operating to withdraw said plunger after the completion of its downward movement, and a driver, S, reciprocated by means of said plunger within said guide-block P, and operating, by means of engaging pins h and It, to withdraw the same after a staple has been driven, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the vertically-reciprocating guide-block P, to receive and guide metallic staples automatically delivered there to, provided with an internal vertical stapleno groove and a recess, constructed as described, with the driver S, moving vertically in said staple-groove and uncovering said recess at each of its upward strokes, and automatic staple-feeding mechanism, consisting of a mag- 1 r5 azine, one side of which shall form a side guide to the wire staples, a guide-block therein, a removable mandrel holding a series of staples in train, and mechanism to deliver the said staples therefrom under pressure to said sta' 12o ple'groove of said reciprocating guide-block on the completion of its upward lift, but singly and successively at each upward stroke of said driver, substantially as set forth.

5. Automatic staple-feeding mechanism, an ranged to deliver staples to the staple-groove of the guiding-block, consisting of a magazine one side of which shall form a side guide to the wire staples, having guide-blocks 5 and 6, sliding block 9, removable mandrel T, pusher- 1 o rod, and pull-spring, constructed, arranged, 1 In testimony whereof I have signed my name and operating substantially as set forth. to this specification in the presenceof wit 6. The removable metal mandrel for holding nesses. strung staples,-having elongated sides bearing.

5 against thestaple-legs and firmly holding them, Witnesses:

and capable of being compressed, and thus re- -HECTOR T. FENTON,

leasing the staples, as set forth. FRANCIS S. BROWN.

\VILLIAM J. BROWN, JR. 

